In an open and end to end game, Nigeria overcame a poor first half to beat Venezuela 3-1, as part of its ANC preparation.
But beyond a very positive result, my major concern is that for the second straight game I'm seeing, we are playing without a proper structural framework.
Football always tells you the truth. What you choose to see is your cup of tea...
For instance, you can choose to see:
- only the result;
- you can choose to see only the encouraging performance of some players- Onazi (my man of the match), Nosa Igiebor, Ideye Brown, Shola Ameobi, Uwa Echiejile, etc;
- or you can choose to look at tactical issues.
They are all valid.
We learned a lot from this game about how deep our squad can be, especially in attack and midfield, as well as how weak it is on defensive options.
Especially in the first half, everytime Venezuela attacked, they looked like they could score, and with a little more composure might have had multiple..
As is often the pattern with locally based fullbacks, Solomon Kwambe appeared more interested in going forward than actually defending. While one recognizes his contribution to the attacking game, in his primary role as a fullback, he is a poor defender.
I continue to believe that while Azubuike Egwueke has all the physical tools to be a top centerback, his understanding of the position, and his continued poor development, is of real concern. He will win you most aerial battles, but thats about it...
Beyond the increased confidence levels in their game, the inability of the team's coaches to improve the homebased players, especially the central defenders, Godfrey Oboabona and Egwueke, is very dissapointing, as they continue to make the same mistakes...
As is often the pattern with locally based fullbacks, Solomon Kwambe appeared more interested in going forward than actually defending. While one recognizes his contribution to the attacking game, in his primary role as a fullback, he is a poor defender.
I continue to believe that while Azubuike Egwueke has all the physical tools to be a top centerback, his understanding of the position, and his continued poor development, is of real concern. He will win you most aerial battles, but thats about it...
Beyond the increased confidence levels in their game, the inability of the team's coaches to improve the homebased players, especially the central defenders, Godfrey Oboabona and Egwueke, is very dissapointing, as they continue to make the same mistakes...
But we learnt very little about the tactical organization or direction of the team...And that is my area of concern and worry.
In midfield, without a proper tactical organization, especially in the non-possession phase, the value of John Mikel Obi cannot be overstated. Even in a poor first half, Ogenyi Onazi showed enough to suggest he can be a valid option as a box to box central midfielder, on either side of Mikel.
While his strike from all of 30 meters was simply breathtaking, there was a lot about Igiebor's game that underlined my concerns about his lack of tactical understanding of the game, in both his movement and positioning, a deficiency that was repeatedly covered by Onazi's hard grafting, and to a lesser extent Lawal, whose game helped the team finally settle down and get some control.
As the most positionally advanced player in a trio of central midfielders, his movement, positioning to create space and pass selection should enable the team dictate the tempo and thus control games. In this he has struggled so far.. This deficiency I suspect is the reason he is being 'slow-walked' into the midfield in terms of role assignment, at Real Betis.
While his strike from all of 30 meters was simply breathtaking, there was a lot about Igiebor's game that underlined my concerns about his lack of tactical understanding of the game, in both his movement and positioning, a deficiency that was repeatedly covered by Onazi's hard grafting, and to a lesser extent Lawal, whose game helped the team finally settle down and get some control.
As the most positionally advanced player in a trio of central midfielders, his movement, positioning to create space and pass selection should enable the team dictate the tempo and thus control games. In this he has struggled so far.. This deficiency I suspect is the reason he is being 'slow-walked' into the midfield in terms of role assignment, at Real Betis.
In attack, Shola Ameobi in his short cameo proved conclusively that he is our best short term option for the big physical striker playing with back to goal, and holding up the ball to bring others into play. He brings maturity, great physical strenght, professionalism and awareness of the team game. In my opinion, he is tailor made for the ANC, but not beyond...
Tony, you hit the nail on the head with respect to your concern on the tactical organization of the team. The tactical positioning of the players looks like a team torn between a 442 and 433 (4231). The first half - especially in midfield play - looked like players werent sure of their roles/ positioning on the pitch which led to fat gaps whenever we lost possession. That issue was mostly addressed after Uche was replaced with Raheem Lawal. That sub gave us a more traditional 433 look and our boys began to impose themselves towards the end of the first half which carried into the second half en route to 3-1. I think the issue is partly due to personnel availability. When Mikel plays, you have to go 4231 (mikel + DM in pivot behind Nosa) but when he isn't around Keshi seems unsure of what to do: 442 or 433. I say the fall back should be 433 (DM + 2 box to box CMs). Also, Keshi will have a headache figuring out what to do with all those strikers including osaze entering the picture. Previous SE coaches have always failed at the task of balancing the personnel (either too attacking - siasia or too defensive - Amodu with the 3 DM midfield). Anyways congrats to Keshi & the boys. Good news is he's getting the results. Bad news is there's still a lot of work to do & time ain't on his side.
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